Effects of diaspirin-cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb(TM)) on local tissue oxygen tension in striated skin muscle: An efficacy study in the hamster

Using the dorsal skin fold chamber model in the hamster, we analyzed local tissue partial oxygen pressure (PO2) in the striated skin muscle under nonischemic and postischemic conditions with a Clark-type multiwire oxygen surface electrode. Hypervolemic infusion (500 mg.kg(-1) IV) or isovolemic exchange transfusion (3.3 gm.kg(-1) IV; hematocrit 30%) with diaspirin-cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) resulted in a slight decrease of the mean value of the local tissue PO2 (mm Hg) 1 hour after administration. Concomitantly, the frequency distribution curves of local tissue PO2 values were found to be more narrow (fewer values > 25 mm Hg and < 10 mm Hg). Resuscitation from severe hemorrhagic shock (bleeding of 33 ml.kg(-1) at 0.4 ml.min(-1)) with autologous blood (AuB), Dr-60, or DCLHb(TM) led to an Increase of) mean tissue PO2 values by 4.2-fold (p < 0.05 versus Dr-60), 1.9-fold, and 3.7-fold (p < 0.05 versus Dr-60), respectively, 2 hours after resuscitation. The reduction of tissue hypoxia (0-5 mm Hg) was significant only in the AuB- and DCLHb(TM)-treated animals. This study indicates that DCLHb(TM) effectively reverses tissue hypoxia after resuscitation from severe hemorrhagic shock by inducing a more homogeneous distribution of the local tissue PO2 levels.